Her Chance Gone

Chapter Four: A Tour of Hogwarts

A/N: Many thanks to my beta reader Ang and to all of you who took the time to review my last chapter.

Minerva felt physically and emotionally drained when she woke the next morning. She hadn't cried like that for years and she was so thankful for friends like Poppy and Xiomara, who were there to support her. They were the only two people, besides Albus, who knew her and saw past her tough exterior.

She spent longer than usual getting ready for the day. She looked into the mirror and concluded that she wasted too many ears on loving a man who could never love her in return. She decided to eat alone rather than face the staff and the happy couple. She didn't want to engage in small talk and put on a false smile. Minerva picked at her small breakfast and even though she knew she had to eat, she wasn't very hungry.

She had planned to work on some lesson plans but most of her notes were in her office and she hadn't planned to leave her rooms today. But realizing that she was going to have to venture out, she quickly walked the corridor, picked up her notes, and rushed back to her rooms. She was just about to enter them when she heard a familiar voice say her name.

"Hello, Albus," she said turning around to face him. "What can I do for you?"

"Ah, Minerva," he replied flashing her brilliant smile. "I thought I would see you at breakfast."

"I'm snowed under with lesson plans so I made an early start," she told him.

"Did you have a proper breakfast though?" he asked with concern.

"I did."

A silence fell upon them and Minerva fiddled with her notes while trying to think of something else to say.

"Is everything alright, Minerva? He asked as he noticed how distant she seemed.

"Quite fine," she assured him. "I just have some things on my mind."

"Do you want to talk about them?"

"No!" she answered quickly.

"Well, you know where I am if you want to talk about anything," he told her somewhat taken aback by her abrupt manner.

"Is there something you wanted?" she asked.

"I promised Regina that I would take her on a tour around Hogwarts but I have been called away by the Ministry. So, I was wondering if you could show her around the school."

Minerva could feel herself turning pale at the very thought. She couldn't show this woman around Hogwarts. She didn't even want to see Regina, let alone having to make small talk with her.

"I am busy," she began but the way he was looking at her made her offer assistance, "but I suppose I can spare a couple of hours."

"Excellent," replied Albus before leaning forward and kissing Minerva on the cheek. "Regina is looking forward to meeting you and I think you will become great friends."

Minerva inwardly cringed at the suggestion that she could ever become friends with Regina. The very idea made her feel physically sick. She watched Albus sweep away before going into her rooms and slamming her notes down on her desk. A knock on her door broke into her frustrated thoughts and she moved across the room to open the door.

"Ahh, Minerva, I thought I'd never find you. Albie told met hat you were going to be my guide, as duty called him away. But he promised to make it up to me later," she finished with a wide smile.

Minerva cringed at the pet name she had given the greatest wizard of recent times and gritted her teeth before speaking.

"Miss Hardcastle, is there anywhere you wish to go?" asked Minerva, stepping out into the corridor.

"Oh, I suppose anywhere you think is important for me to see. Albie said you have been around her forever and can show me all the easiest routes."

Minerva bit the inside of her mouth to keep herself from saying something she would probably regret.

"Are you close to his age, Minerva?

"I'm eighty years his junior," answered Minerva briskly.

"Merlin, you don't' look it! So, where are we going?"

Minerva eyed the woman in front of her and tried to figure out if she meant that as a compliment or as an insult. Regina could tell that her words had been vague enough to keep her guessing but biting enough to wound her pride. She had seen the way Minerva had reacted to Albus' announcement and her womanly instincts told her that there was more to their relationship than either of them cared or dared to admit.

"Do you have a particular interest in a certain branch of magic? Perhaps we could start there," suggested Minerva.

"Oh, I have always had a fascination with potions and charms. Transfiguration never interested me as I found it rather dull."

"Dull?" Minerva questioned rather coldly. "I doubt your future husband would agree with you."

"Oh Albie and I don't' really talk about trivial things. Of course I'm sure he'd talk your ears off on the subject. You just seem so...umm.. what's the word I'm looking for," said Regina, thinking out loud. "Well, more like his sister or a close relative."

"Well, we have known each other for some years now and are comfortable in each other's company. He was my professor and mentor."

"That probably explains why he mentions you so much. You know, I think he even said your name in his sleep. He must have been having a nightmare. Oh are these the dungeons?"

The comment Regina had just made hurt Minerva as much as the stunners had done only months before. Seeing that her words had hit home, Regina tried to get back to their original purpose.

"So, this is where potions classes are held? I would love to sit in on a couple of classes when the students are back."

"I'm sure Severus will oblige you. Oh here he is now. Severus, Miss Hardcastle would like a tour so I'll leave you to talk potions and brews." Minerva quickly turned on her heel and sped out of the dungeons.

To be continued...